Chief: Rape rate about same

But rapes jumped in 2012 to 25% above five-year average

Jun. 29, 2013

Written by

During the first four months of 2013, the number of rapes appears to have doubled compared to the same time frame in 2012. However, the spike has more to do with a change in reporting guidelines than evidence of an alarming trend.

Every agency in the country reports various types of crimes using the Uniform Crime Reporting Program, collected and archived by the FBI.

The definition of each crime under this program is standardized, allowing accurate comparisons between agencies.

Starting this year, the definition of “rape” expanded and now includes a range of offenses involving different types of penetration and attacks on men.

Factoring in the additional crimes in the rape category, Police Chief Paul Williams said the rate of rape this year is about the same as 2012.

Before the change in definition, rapes jumped in 2012 to 25 percent above the five-year average.

That is 141 rapes in 2012 compared to 110 in 2011.

Williams said he wants the public to understand strangers are not typically being targeted in rapes in Springfield.

He has said that in the majority of cases, the offender and victim knew each other. When the victim did not know the offender, intoxication often played a significant role in the attack.